Monthly Archives: March 2011

Both men and women have had times when they wanted or needed to lose weight. It’s a difficult process for most because we usually don’t have enough time for everything.

Our lifestyles tend to focus on work and getting as much rest as we can, so sometimes we can’t find time at all to do our exercise routines.

This is why many people turn to diet pills for help. There is a bit of a problem though, because with many kinds of pills being sold on the market, we don’t really know what the best choice for us is.

Kinds of Diet Pills

When we say diet pills, there are actually only two kinds you can choose from – prescription and over the counter or OTC pills. However, these in turn can be divided into a few classes.

OTC Fat Blockers – fat blocker pills prevent your body from absorbing fat and keeping it in your body. About a third of the calories you take would be neutralized. Chitosan, a substance that comes from the exoskeleton of crabs and other marine creatures is the major ingredient of most fat blockers.

OTC Appetite Suppressors – appetite suppressors control your appetite, so you don’t overload yourself when you eat. If you have a big appetite and your weight matches that, this is the best pill for you. You don’t get the hungry feeling as much, and your normal food intake lessens considerably.

OTC Carbohydrate Blockers – Carbohydrate blockers on the other hand, prevent the absorption and storage of starches and sugars. They work in a similar way to fat blockers. The main ingredient of this type of diet pill is an extract from the white kidney bean called phaselousvulgaris.

Diuretics – they are also called water pills, since they usually help rid the body of excess fluid. They would stimulate the kidneys pass urine in larger amounts and you go to the bathroom more. They would “trick” the brain into thinking that you’re not hungry.

Prescription Diet Pills – as it says, you can’t get these without a doctor’s prescription. They tend to be stronger than OTC pills and your doctor can choose a dosage that is suitable for you after some tests and consultation. These work best when partnered with a good exercise routine and healthy diet. The problem is if you stop using it, you’ll gain back the weight you worked so hard to lose.

Natural Diet Pills – a healthier alternative to the medications mentioned above, these pills usually have ingredients that can help you lose weight the way nature intended. They help suppress the appetite, speed up the metabolism and also help in natural bowel movement. The only problem is, there are certain extracts from plants and animals that you may be allergic to, so read the ingredients before trying any.

Check with a dietician before taking any medication no matter how “safe” it is believed to be. Your life is more important than losing weight.